Thai youth attitudes toward dating violence

In the article recently published in the journal International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, the author Pradubmook-Sherer examines the relationships of many factors to attitudes about dating violence among Thai youth.  The factors examined include class (using school type as the proxy), delinquency, self-esteem and school performance.

In the conclusion, Pradubmook-Sherer discussed the implication for prevention programs:

Educational programs that confront students’ beliefs that violence is an acceptable response in dating relationships must be established. Intervention programs on these issues and on gender relationships should start even before high school. Because of the indicated cultural and gender differences, we recommend that culturally sensitive intervention programs should target specific groups, according to their special needs, in the area of dating violence.

Below is the full citation and link to the article.

Youth Attitudes Toward Dating Violence in Thailand.

Pradubmook-Sherer P. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 2010; ePublished February 24, 2010

Click here for a link to the article on the journal’s web site.

(Copyright © 2010, Sage Publications)

This study assessed the occurrences and intensity of psychological, physical, and sexual attitudes toward dating violence among Thai youths, and examined possible variables related to the formation of these attitudes. The random sample consisted of 1,296 male and female adolescents from high school, vocational school, and out-of-school groups. Thai youths in general reported attitudes that were supportive of dating violence. The variables more closely related to attitudes toward dating violence were personal variables. Peer influence, partner relationships, and family characteristics were related to higher support for dating violence. Females reported higher endorsement of dating violence than males. The theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed, and recommendations for policy makers are drawn.